As the sun finally nested on Coffs Harbour ahead of the 2025 Australian Women’s Classic, two Ladies European Tour (LET) stars were treated to an afternoon to cherish on Wednesday as they met some of the town’s slow-moving stars.
Czech Republic’s Sara Kouskova and Italy’s Alessandra Fanali, both Olympic golfers, paid a visit to see the rescue turtles at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary in an experience they will never forget.
The sanctuary, located just off the iconic jetty in Coffs Harbour, specialises in sea animal rehabilitation working passionately to rescue, rehabilitate and release green sea and freshwater turtles.
Last year alone, the sanctuary rescued over 100 turtles giving the vulnerable creatures a crucial second chance at life.
Kouskova and Fanali met with experts Tiga Cross and Lucy Palmer to learn more about the fantastic work they do. The golfers even got the chance to clean, feed and weigh some of the rescued turtles.
“We took the girls around and had a look at our turtle rehab,” Palmer said. “They were able to look at some of the turtles we have in care and learn about the release process of getting them back into the wild. We discussed some of the issues they come in with such as boat strikes, net entanglements and things like that.
“Around the Coffs region we typically have fresh sea turtles; green, hawksbill, and loggerheads. We typically have around 20 turtles in at a time. It’s truly rewarding to have girls like this visit the sanctuary. To show them why we need this help. It’s so encouraging.”
The LET and LET Access Series (LETAS) is committed to recognising and promoting great sustainable work being done by the LET community as part of the Tour’s sustainability initiative in partnership with GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf.
Kouskova, a GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf Sustainable Golf Champion, cares passionately about nature and the environment and was physically moved upon visiting the sanctuary.
“It was very, very inspiring,” the Czech star said. “What the sanctuary is doing, it’s hard to wrap it into words. It’s obviously important for the diversity and I think I teared up a little bit when we were weighing the little turtles. It’s really important. I loved everything. When we saw what they are able to do with the recovered turtles, it’s truly inspiring. I’ve never been so close to a turtle before. It’s been incredible.”
While Fanali added: “It was really nice to see what they’re doing. We heard about their story last year, with the sanctuary almost closing, so it’s great to see what they do and see the help do. They take such good care of the animals.
“If people are in the area they should definitely come. My favourite part was weighing the little ones. It was so cute.”
All animal rehabilitation services at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary are self-funded by the sanctuary, with no external financial support. The facility in New South Wales is also licensed to rehabilitate dolphins, sea lions and seals on site.
